Albion Reviews 

Quick service

Regarding Colchester iStore…

Summary: The Colchester iStore messed up, resulting in financial loss, wasted time, stress and labor on my part, and incurring damage to my credit rating. The store has taken no accountability for this, and refused to offer anything to make up for the nightmare they caused, despite none of it being my fault.

Apple is a premium product and should come with premium service, which should include compensation if an error is made which causes a situation like I’ve detailed below. I spoke to the store extensively before posting this review, because it’s a last resort for me to do a negative review.

Further details:
Went in to buy a phone on finance 25/02/26.

During the process I was instructed to log out of my Apple ID on my old phone and erase everything.

The staff member then instructed me to do the finance part on my phone, which required use of my phone number, email and banking app, which I had just deleted all access to. I hadn’t questioned this as previously they would sort this out on their computer and followed the instructions.

I was then unable to do the finance agreement, so I was advised to get my laptop from home. I rode my bike all the way home and then returned with the laptop so that I could access an email link. This failed because I then needed access to my phone for the next steps anyway, which I was unable to access or re-instate. Again, I couldn’t have known this, but they should have before sending me to do this. If I hadn’t have happened to have an old iPod Touch at home, I would have had to do a full account reset, which would have taken up to 10 days. It was very distressing being faced with this prospect while I scrambled to sort it out

I had to go home and spend hours getting access to my phone and installing everything again to get back to square one.

I returned the next day with it all working again, but this time the finance agreement with Klarna approved me, but then wouldn’t work when I came to link it to my bank using the banking app because I’d had to reinstall my banking app due to the mess up and it wouldn’t let me do that for 4 days after re-install. I then ran to the bank and spent ages in there getting that aspect sorted out before returning to the store. This time I was rejected by Klarna, presumably because of all the messing around. I will add that I have NEVER been refused credit and have always looked after my credit rating, but now I have a blot on my credit history.

I then moved money from my ISA to pay for the phone upfront, so will lose interest I would have otherwise made on that money.

This experience has been incredibly stressful, frustrating financially damaging, and time consuming. This is compounded by the complete lack of accountability from the store and refusal to compensate me in any way whatsoever. I’d gone to buy a phone and ended up with my own phone bricked, no access to anything and was only spared another 10 days of that due to luck and effort on my part.

Picked up in store. On time.Good service

I visited the Cheltenham istore on saturday 14th Feb with a faulty set of airpod 2 pro's and charging case. After chatting with Joost the store manager he quickly booked them in for a service as the fault needed a technician to fix it. 3 days later i received a pleasant call from Joost again saying my pods have been sorted under their 12 month guarantee period. He remembered who I was which is always a big plus in my book! I could not fault the service or attention received from the store or the manager. very happy apple customer!

Visited the iStore rushden lakes on the 16th feb 26, we we greeted by Toyah and recieved not only exceptional customer service but a honest review on what laptop was better suited for us walked through accessories and explained thoroughly how Apple protect works - without her help we would of purchased the wrong laptop so thank you toyah

It’s amazing service

Fast and great service

Everything great

Excellent service would love to again

Excellent service. Super quick delivery. And 0% interest purchase. What else do you need?
Thanks

Very good I liked

Great experience in every respect - and a great price too! Ordering process was very straightforward and communication was very good.
I would happily use this company again. Highly recommended.

After an Apple upgrade over the weekend, 2 of our IPads had difficulty opening, and we were unable to access anything. Contacted Apple Support by telephone, and after 2 long conservations, the problem was not resolved. Visited the iStore in Guildford Mon morning, and was greeting by Ollie. In a short period of time, Ollie had resolved the problem on both IPads. Ollie is a very knowledgeable, helpful young man. He offered reassurance, and resolved the problem quickly. He is without doubt a wonderful asset to the Team @ iStore. Thank you Ollie.

Very helpful and flexible service with good options.
Delivery quick and reliable.

Thank you very much !

I booked a 40 minute slot for my iPhone 14 to have battery replaced and was given the price also online. When I attended I was told I would have to allow 2 to 3 hours for replacement which had been made clear at booking. The assistant told me they were a franchise so couldn’t control the information online. Also that it is a complicated job taking it apart as the phones are not designed to do that. Also that there was no guarantee of time frame to service the phone as it all depends when the technicians become free from their previous job. More of this info should have been available online. Istore at Rushden Lakes Northants.

Great service from Melisa in the iStore Strand today. I have a feeling the services might be pricey, but I felt in good hands.

Sam at the Woking Store reassured me that I didn’t need a replacement screen as it was only my screen protector that had cracked. So I was lucky enough just to need a new screen protector! Great service and same day appointment! It’s located in the Peacock Centre Woking.